News:
Archive of
articles - history in the making (most recently added links in red)

This section acts as an archive for all those pieces of news
we
collect that are relevant to those interested in the history of Sedgley
Manor. Since today's news becomes tomorrow's history we hope this
section of our site is evolving into a 'recent' history
section.

Simon Atkinson, Conservation Manager of the Birmingham and
Black Country Wildlife Trust outlines exciting projects for Dudley’s
most accessible viewing point for Wales, Wolverhampton and large parts
of the Black Country. A well-known former(?) entertainment venue.

Ned Williams, the well-respected Black Country historian and
author,
explores the Gornals and shares his warm affection for the villagers
and their traditions. A couple of important community buildings.

Kate Hartland-Westwood's award-winning presentation on coffee
mill
makers.
The talk is very apt for the Society with Census returns in Sedgley
showing several coffee mill makers. Also the summer's exhibitions at
Himley Hall. Sedgely Journal No. 7.

A members and visitors evening for sharing research
and tips on tracing their house history. Bring along artefacts,
photographs, posters and memorabilia or just tell a story about your
house. A long forgotten school in Upper Gornal and a medieval field.

A members and visitors evening for sharing
memories about bicycles, motorbikes and cars. Everyone is invited to
bring along artefacts, photographs, posters and memorabilia or just
tell stories about their love affair with wheels. An excellent old
photograph of the Bullring under a blanket of snow.

Vic Smallshire (Chairman of Dudley Canal Trust) presents a
slide
show that records the restoration and conservation of a vital piece of
the waterway. Work began in 1964 and a rolling programme of
improvements has made this venture into a remarkable tourist
attraction. A new centre for visitors is at the design stage and
ambitious plans are still to be realised for some disused tunnels.

Keith Hodgkins traces the evolution of main lines and branches
with
vintage images recalling the days when the region’s industries
were well served with a network bringing in raw materials and leaving
with products as diverse as steel bars and sausages. A well known
Sedgley building with an interesting past, a stately home, and a local
calendar.

A members and visitors' evening for sharing their memories of
sporting events and personalities connected with the Black Country and
further afield. In addition there will be notes on London’s three
Olympic Games and an opportunity to test your knowledge of obscure
local sporting links. A railway station in the manor.

Keith Hodgkins, vice-chairman of Tipton Civic Society, gives a
slide
show of photographs of Brierley Hill's
Round Oak Steelworks. A local landscape - but where and how was it
formed? Happy birthday to the census.

Following the 2009 AGM, Society member, Eddy Hickey will be
showing
slides and photographs of Dudley and Wolverhampton that he has taken
over the last forty years. A date on a building in the Spring Teaser.

Graham Worton, keeper of geology and manger at Dudley Museum
and Art
Gallery, and nationally recognised expert on the Wren’s Nest
limestone
workings, looks at pits and quarries in Sedgley, Coseley & the
Gornals.

Adrian Durkin, Exhibitions Officer at Dudley Museum and Art
Gallery,
traces the development of castles and highlights Dudley as a fine
example of the changes over the centuries. The Winter Teaser shows a
collection of Victorian buildings.

An illustrated talk by Peter Boland (Principal Conservation
Officer
of
Dudley M. B.) covering the regeneration of Dudley town centre and the
opportunities for revealing a rich heritage dating back to medieval
times.

Ettingshall based landscape artist, Ray Whitehouse's second
visit to
the Society to display and talk about his watercolours. Ray recently
finished a project researching and recording the Staffordshire
&
Worcestershire Canal and its surroundings.

The speaker, Robert Earnshaw a Warden at the Wren's
Nest National Nature Reserve presents an illustrated talk
entitled
'The Geological and Industrial Past of the Wren's Nest'. The talk
offers an opportunity to hear about Dudley's internationally acclaimed
natural feature, thought by many to be worthy of World Heritage status.

Peter Boland, the Principal Conservation Officer of Dudley M.
B.
talks about the preservation of the remains of a glassworks under the
newly created Stone Street Square, and the central Dudley scheme to
highlight the development of the town from medieval times.

A collection of front page news briefs from June 2004: All
Saint's
Anniversary reported, Coppice Baptist request help for a bicentennial
booklet, the Society's Summer Walk and results of the Spring Teaser
competition.

Trevor Genge launches his fifth book of old photographs
covering
Sedgley and District at Queen Victoria Primary School, Bilston Street,
with the opening being performed by the well known historian and
broadcaster, Carl Chinn.

Landscape artist Ray Whitehouse has recently finished a
project
researching and recording the Birmingham Canal Navigation and its
surroundings as it cuts through the Black Country. On his first visit
to the Society he'll display and talk about his watercolours.

The Society's second meeting of the 2003/2004 season of talks
sees
John Hughes show some of his unique collection of cine-films and
photographs covering the history of
Wolverhampton Corporation's transport department from trams to trolley
buses.

The May 2004 Local Elections will be based on new ward
boundaries.
SLHS contributed to the consultation process by ensuring the ward names
reflected the communities they cover, as this article describes.